Biography
Günter Pichler began his studies at the University of Music in Vienna in 1955. He was appointed Leader of the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra when he was 18, and when he was 21 Herbert von Karajan engaged him as Leader of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1969 he was awarded the „Mozart Interpretation Prize“.
From 1963 to 2009 Günter Pichler has been Professor at the University of Music and performing Arts in Vienna, and from 1993 to 2012 Guest Professor in Cologne. In 2017 he was appointed head of the International Chamber Institute at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofia in Madrid. Besides he holds master classes in many prestigious summer academies.
Many of his students won international prizes, are concertmasters in major orchestras, professors at academies and universities of music, and perform as soloists and chamber music ensembles in international concert halls.
In 1970 Günter Pichler founded the Alban Berg Quartett and had led this worldwide leading quartet ever since. The Alban Berg Quartett regularly performed in the music metropolises of the world and is honorary member of the Vienna Konzerthaus Society as well as Associate Artists of the Royal Festival Hall London. It was rewarded more than thirty renowned disc prizes.
Complementing his work in the quartet Günter Pichler embarked upon a career as a conductor. Since then he conducted many European orchestras in concerts and on tours (e.g. Vienna, Lausanne, Stuttgart and Israel Chamber Orchestras, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Orchestra della Toscana Firenze, I Pomeriggi Milano, Hallé Orchestra Manchester, Orchestre National de Lille, Royal Flanders Philharmonic, etc.). In Japan he conducted all the major orchestras like Tokyo, Osaka, Sendai, Sapporo Philharmonic and NHK Orchestra Tokyo. From 2001-2006 he was 1. Guest Cnductor of the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa and is currently Artistic Advisor of this Orchestra.
From 1963 to 2009 Günter Pichler has been Professor at the University of Music and performing Arts in Vienna, and from 1993 to 2012 Guest Professor in Cologne. In 2017 he was appointed head of the International Chamber Institute at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofia in Madrid. Besides he holds master classes in many prestigious summer academies.
Many of his students won international prizes, are concertmasters in major orchestras, professors at academies and universities of music, and perform as soloists and chamber music ensembles in international concert halls.
In 1970 Günter Pichler founded the Alban Berg Quartett and had led this worldwide leading quartet ever since. The Alban Berg Quartett regularly performed in the music metropolises of the world and is honorary member of the Vienna Konzerthaus Society as well as Associate Artists of the Royal Festival Hall London. It was rewarded more than thirty renowned disc prizes.
Complementing his work in the quartet Günter Pichler embarked upon a career as a conductor. Since then he conducted many European orchestras in concerts and on tours (e.g. Vienna, Lausanne, Stuttgart and Israel Chamber Orchestras, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Orchestra della Toscana Firenze, I Pomeriggi Milano, Hallé Orchestra Manchester, Orchestre National de Lille, Royal Flanders Philharmonic, etc.). In Japan he conducted all the major orchestras like Tokyo, Osaka, Sendai, Sapporo Philharmonic and NHK Orchestra Tokyo. From 2001-2006 he was 1. Guest Cnductor of the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa and is currently Artistic Advisor of this Orchestra.